'No onboard pilot needed': Massive 2-ton VTOL mega drone just hauled fresh
tea leaves over 75 miles autonomously

Date:
Sat, 18 Apr 2026 15:05:00 +0000

Description:
Massive 2-ton autonomous cargo drone flies 75 miles across mountains carrying fresh tea without an onboard pilot.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Pro Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are
now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Autonomous cargo aircraft completed 120km mountain delivery in just 37 minutes Hybrid air and rail transport enabled fresh tea delivery within 24 hours CarryAll drone carries up to 400kg with 200km operational range Chinese-founded aerospace company AutoFlight has carried out a 2-ton-class eVTOL transport trial moving fresh spring tea
across mountainous terrain in Guizhou province.

The test used its CarryAll (V2000CG), an unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to move freshly harvested tea between the cities of Anshun and Guiyang, roughly 120km apart. That flight crossed rugged mountain terrain in 37 minutes, a trip that typically takes far longer by road due to winding routes and elevation changes common in the region. Article continues below You may like 430mph! Aerospace engineer (unofficially) reclaims the drone speed crown Who needs a DJI? This ultimate DIY drone hits 67mph and costs just $155 2025's most interesting drone the Antigravity A1 just got its first-ever price cut and an intriguing feature for new pilots Maximum payload of 400kg Once the aircraft delivered the tea to Guiyang, the shipment continued by high-speed rail to Shanghai, covering close to 2,000km in total distance.

The combined use of aircraft and rail allowed the tea to reach consumers within 24 hours of harvesting, offering a different way to move
time-sensitive agricultural products from remote regions.

Unlike conventional cargo aircraft, the CarryAll operates without an onboard pilot, relying on autonomous flight systems to handle navigation and route execution.

The aircraft supports a maximum payload of 400kg and has a range of up to 200km, with a cruise speed of about 180km/h, making it suited to medium-distance cargo routes where roads are slow or unreliable. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Vertical takeoff and landing capability removes the need for runways,
allowing operations from compact pads near farms or logistics hubs, which could simplify deployment in mountainous or isolated areas.

AutoFlight said the CarryAll (V2000CG) holds Type, Production, and Airworthiness Certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, making it one of the earliest large cargo eVTOL platforms to reach that stage of regulatory approval.

This innovative autonomous eVTOL air transfer + high-speed rail trunk line model breaks logistics bottlenecks in high-altitude mountainous areas. AutoFlight will join hands with more partners to extend this efficient, green autonomous cargo model to more specialty agricultural producing areas," said Li Yun, CCO of AutoFlight. What to read next Nigerian startup builds AI drone systems to protect Africas vital industries DJI Avata 360 review: part 360 drone, part FPV drone and all parts brilliant V-Copter Falcon Mini review:
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"This will help more high-quality local agricultural products reach national markets quickly, driving regional industrial upgrading and rural revitalization.

AutoFlight's cargo aircraft have previously flown missions involving offshore platforms, intercity freight, and emergency fire-fighting support, showing
how the technology is being tested beyond controlled demonstrations.

The company is also working on a six-seat passenger version, identified as
the V2000EM Prosperity, which is undergoing airworthiness certification under Chinese aviation authorities. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/no-onboard-pilot-needed-massive-2-ton-vtol-mega- drone-just-hauled-fresh-tea-leaves-over-75-miles-autonomously


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